Bone mechanical stimulation, piezoelectric

Bone Mechanical Stimulation with Piezoelectric Materials... 

The work here summarized explores in vitro and in vivo use of a piezoelectric polymer for bone mechanical stimulation. 

Piezoelectric Materials for Bone Mechanical Stimulation-the in vivo Study... 

The use of piezoelectric material based actuators to produce bone mechanical stimulation seems promising in theory and the present in vitro and in vivo studies were a first step towards the validation of the eoneept. 

Piezoelectric Materials for Mechanical Stimulation of Bone Cells—The in vitro Study... 

The in vitro study showed evidence of effective bone cell mechanical stimulation, and the concept was further explored in vivo. The in vivo implantation of piezoelectric actuators for tissue mechanical stimulation is innovative and a potential use in the development of smart implants. 

Poly(3HB) and poly(3HB-co-3HV) are piezoelectric materials, whereas the piezoelectric properties of other PHAs have not been investigated (Steinbuchel 1996). The piezoelectric materials produce electric charges on parts of their surface when mechanical pressure is applied to the crystalline material, and an electric current will result from the charges if the crystal is short circuited. Conversely, application of a voltage between certain faces of the material produces a mechanical distortion (a deformation) of the material. Piezoelectric materials have important applications in electromechanical transducers, such as microphones. In medicine, chemically synthesized piezoelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride stimulated bone growth. The piezoelectric property of poly(3HB) may be important for some medical applications (Steinbuchel 1996). 

Lack of Sufficient Exercise. There is some evidence that sedentary persons lose more calcium from their bones than active persons eating essentially the same diet. Also, it has been found that mechanical forces on bone, such as those which occur during exercise, produce a surface charge (a piezoelectric effect) which may stimulate the building up of bone. Therefore, exercise may be an important factor in the development and maintenance of strong bones. 

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